ВІД ЕПІДЕМІЙ МИНУЛОГО ДО СЬОГОДЕННЯ І ХВОРОБИ Х, ДОСВІД БОРОТЬБИ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ

Abstract

People have faced epidemics and pandemics since ancient times, without yet understanding either their nature, their consequences, or how to protect themselves and prevent their spread. Each infectious disease has its own history, features related to the virulence of the pathogen, the mechanism of its transmission, contagiousness, which depend on the epidemic potential of the pathogen, the intensity of the epidemic process of infection, and the consequences for eachindividual and society in general. Every year, new human microorganisms appear, among which viruses play a leading role,new parasitic systems are formed or already existing parasitic systems change, in which a person becomes the biological host of one or another pathogen. It is shown that zoonotic microorganisms prevail among human pathogens, in particular among emergent ones. Viruses predominate among pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. The article examines the chronology of major epidemics and pandemics, starting with an unknown disease in China 5,000 years ago and ending with monkeypox, the spread of which began in May 2022. Considerable attention is paid to current infectious diseases with pandemic potential, namely zoonotic influenza, emerging coronavirus infections (SARS, MERS, COVID-19), Ebola and Zika diseases, re-emerging monkeypox. A list of 10 potentially pandemic infectious diseases, which WHO has identified as priority, is provided, which also includes disease X. Taking into account the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries, including Ukraine, need to make a lot more efforts to achieve a truly adequate level of preparedness for preventing biological threats and responding to future challenges. It is noted that preparations are currently underway for the adoption of the WHO Convention, an agreement or another international document on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, the draft of which is currently undergoing the coordination stage. The implementation of its provisions at the international and national levels will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of international and national biosecurity systems and strengthening the potential for combating biological threats. It is emphasized that the national biosafety system in Ukraine needs significant improvement in the direction of strengthening the system of epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases. Key words: epidemic, pandemic, emergent infection, pathogen, MERS, COVID-19, monkeypox, disease X.